The Revenge Playbook by Rachael Allen Read Free Book Online

Do you see how hideous crying makes you look? Don’t do it! Especially not over Weston. He had an eight-month expiration date—he is totally not worth a Scarlett O’Hara tomorrow-is-another-day scene.
    Scarlett had that part of it right though. Tomorrow is another day. And I will go to that party next weekend and pick out another boyfriend, and then I will find a way to steal that stupid football and make Weston sorry he ever dumped me for a bunch of sweaty guys.

UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE
    HarperCollins Publishers
    ..................................................................
Wednesday, August 12
PEYTON
    T he list is up. People have been stalking the bulletin board all day, but the coaches waited until the very last bell so as not to interfere with any learning. Because you totally learn a lot on the first day of school. Now the first day is over, and I can see the white sheet of paper flapping in the school’s subzero air-conditioning. Girls on either side of it are jumping up and down and squealing. Or crying.
    I stare at the list from across the hall and work up the courage to walk to the bulletin board. If I were still with Karl, I wouldn’t have to make the walk by myself. I miss having someone to be here with me. I don’t miss what came along with it. Sometimes you think someone is holding your hand when really they’re holding you back.
    â€œI can do it myself,” I whisper, but my heartbeat disagrees. As I walk through the sea of girls surrounding the list, I assess the butterflies in my stomach. Today’s feel like monarchs.
    I approach the list. Search for my name.
    PEYTON REED.
    There it is! I touch my index finger beside it just to make sure it’s real. As I turn around, a huge grin plasters itself across my face. You know, the kind that makes you look goofy when you’re trying to appear calm and sophisticated? That’s the one. I am a Ranburne High Pink Panther. And I made three new friends this week. Not that that was the only reason I agreed to be part of the football team revenge plot. I mean, it was part of it, for sure. Ever since Candace moved away, I’ve been hoping to find that kind of friendship again. But I really do think things are screwed up at our school, and I really do love the idea of being part of something that could change that. This week is everything I wanted but never thought I could have. My grin gets, if possible, even bigger and goofier.
    And then I am on the floor.
    From a hug—at least I think this was meant to be a hug. It could also be a mauling.
    â€œYou made the dance team! I am so excited! You were the best in my group!” Liv squeals all of this rapid fire into my ear. It feels awesome.
    â€œI can’t even believe it,” I say as I untangle the two of us and help her up.
    â€œYou’ll believe it when Coach Tanner kicks your butt at practice tomorrow.”
    I grin, excited at the prospect of getting my butt kicked by dance.
    But something’s off. I feel him watching me before I see him, almost like my body is programmed to be on edge whenever he’s within a thirty-foot radius. I search the hallways and, sure enough, Karl is standing by the double doors leading to the parking lot.
    â€œI better go,” I tell Liv. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
    â€œOkay! And you have to come over to my house this Friday to get ready for the party, okay? My friend Marley’s coming, and I really want you both to be friends too!” says Liv, bouncing forward on the balls of her feet.
    â€œDefinitely.” I can’t help but smile even though Karl is still waiting for me.
    I pace over to him, hoping we’re far enough away that none of the dance team girls will hear us if things get ugly.
    â€œHi,” I say, for some reason feeling the need to stretch to my absolute tallest.
    â€œLooks like you made the dance team.” It sounds like an accusation.
    His hard blue